The Centre is closely monitoring the rainfall situation in the country to ensure timely availability of basic inputs like fertilizers and seeds to the farmers. In reply to a written question Minister of State for consumers affairs, food and Public Distribution Prof K V
Thomas said that as per the Met department data, for the country as a whole, rainfall deficit from 1st of June till 5th of this month was 17 per cent.
The Minister said District Contingency Plans have already been prepared for 320 districts and States are advised to prepare location specific alternatives based on these plans. Professor Thomas admitted that the Wholesale Price Index, WPI that indicates the general price trend in the country shows that there has been an increase of 8.8 per cent in the index of vegetables for the month of June 2012. over the index for the month of May 2012. He said that price rise is due to the increase in the potato, onion, bringal and cabbage prices.